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AIBU?

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to think not folding a buggy to make way for a wheelchair user on a bus is despicable?

357 replies

Zara1984 · 20/06/2012 19:55

Just watching Channel 4 news here and a focus piece on public transport accessibility for disabled people.

Apparently one of the biggest users for wheelchair users is parents with buggies not folding them to make way for wheelchair users. This startled me - surely there are not really parents out there who refuse to fold down their buggies to make way for a person in a wheelchair??? Seriously? What kind of twat does that?

AIBU to think that any parent who does this is not a nice human being?

Does this actually happen???

OP posts:
KellyElly · 21/06/2012 16:41

bejeezusWC my point exactly :)

Needingsomeadvice · 21/06/2012 16:43

Actually, on our buses there is a wheelchair space, but there are also spaces on the other side of the bus and next to the wheelchair space marked "for parents with buggies/pushchairs or heavy shopping". The wheelchair space is labelled with instructions for how to park your wheelchair, and a message that you should vacate the space should a wheelchair user get on the bus. But the spaces on the other side and opposite the wheelchair space could probably fit 2-3 pushchairs in without a problem.

I have folded my pushchair (even my big one which you need to take off the seat unit first before folding). When I folded my large pushchair it was because 2 people in wheelchairs (elderly, with carers in uniforms pushing the wheelchairs) behind me were wondering how they were going to get on and I was in the queue at the front and there were 2 pushchairs behind them. The other 2 mums with pushchairs got on ahead of the people in wheelchairs and then did not fold. I folded mine despite having 8 bags (birthday shopping).

I would not be able to get off the bus though I'm afraid. Buses only one an hour and having to get back for my DS's school finishing mean that if I miss the bus I will be an hour late. Also, busfares are expensive and I would imagine that getting off for some people would be unaffordable if they have to pay fares again. I agree with those that say the problem is with lack of support from drivers when you do fold your pushchairs (driving off around a sharp bend etc), and also apathy from them (which I saw myself that day) towards wheelchair users (can't be bothered to make a fuss or ask people to fold, or put ramp down). This is what we should be addressing.

everlong · 21/06/2012 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrincessFiorimonde · 21/06/2012 17:43

The wheelchair space is for a wheelchair user.

That is all.

IF the wheelchair space is not occupied by a wheelchair user, the space may be used temporarily by a buggy-user.

With the proviso that any buggy-user, or anyone else, must vacate the wheelchair space when it is required by a wheelchair user.

Because, at the risk of repeating myself, the wheelchair space is for a wheelchair user.

Maamekin · 21/06/2012 19:26

But a wheelchair user shouldn't have to be guilt-tripped into letting someone else stay in the space! Surely that's just embarrassing for everyone concerned, to start negotiating who needs the space the most. Just because some disabled people would be gracious enough to suggest you should take their space, does not mean that you should act as though this is what should happen.

People who use buses with buggies (of which I am one, daily), need to remember that every time they do so with a buggy that it is "impossible" to fold and bags of shopping that are too difficult to "juggle" (why do you need to juggle them - just put them on the floor Grin), they are taking a gamble that the space won't be needed by a wheelchair user. And, in my experience, the space isn't usually needed.

But sometimes, very occasionally, it is needed.

And then you have to get out of the way.

And not being able to manage your shopping or fold your buggy is not an excuse.

You knew when you got on that this could happen. So if you are taking a journey where you really really have to stay on the bus and can't afford to be made to get off, you need to work out ways of dealing with it.

You could:

If you know you are going shopping, take a backpack and put everything in there, then you won't have to juggle shopping bags.

Take a sling with you for the baby and reins for your older child. Or have your tiny baby/babies in a soft carrycot with handles that you can easily remove from the buggy. Fold your buggy up before you even get on the bus.

If you often have to take the bus, choose a small pushchair that can be folded/reopened with one hand.

Yes, it is less convenient. But it is perfectly possible.

Disabled people spend their whole lives having to think creatively and come up with ways of accessing things in daily life that everyone else takes for granted.

Maryz · 21/06/2012 19:38

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bejeezusWC · 21/06/2012 19:49

I think it is fairly insulting to suggest you couldn't or shouldn't have that discussion

MammaBrussels · 21/06/2012 19:54

Why should you have to discuss it bejeezus? Would you if it were a disabled parking space? No. It's a space for disabled passengers on a bus. It is reserved for them. It is dedicated to their needs. It's not a convenient space for someone with a pushchair.

hawkmoon269 · 21/06/2012 19:58

Oooh, buses. Hate them. I have a buggy that doesn't fold (bugaboo chameleon) so if a wheelchair user got on I'd have to get off. Which I would do in an instant - every time I (try) to use public transport in London I imagine how a wheelchair user would cope (or elderly people, people on crutches etc). It is sobering.

However, I choose to drive or walk almost everywhere because I find the bus with a buggy so frustrating and stressful. I would happily walk for a couple of miles if necessary to avoid using the bloody things.

bejeezusWC · 21/06/2012 19:59

As I have said. Where I live the spaces are provided for wheelchairs AND pushchairs. I would never be in the situation, I haven't twins, always carry a rucksack and have a easily collapdable pushchair BUT if a mum with twin babies was in the space for wheelchairs AND pushchairs, and she had to make school run or hospital appointment for example, I think it would be perfectably reasonable of her to explain this to a wheel chair user who was boarding the bus.

hawkmoon269 · 21/06/2012 20:02

Oh, and people with CHILDREN in buggies who try to shove kfc into my small baby's sleeping face.... Nothing makes me more cross. Actually possibly dog shit does, but that's a whole other thread.

Obviously some children need to use a buggy for perfectly good reasons. But seriously, I see huge children in school uniform crammed into buggies. Wow. I'm tetchy tonight - sorry!

everlong · 21/06/2012 20:02

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 21/06/2012 20:03

To be honest, I think a lot of ignorant people don't even consider that the space is for a wheelchair user.

They genuinely think it is for buggies.

bejeezusWC · 21/06/2012 20:04

It's not the same ad disabled parking spaces at all

SauvignonBlanche · 21/06/2012 20:06

That's because they're ignorant fuckwits, It'sAll

SauvignonBlanche · 21/06/2012 20:07

Why not beejeezus?

bejeezusWC · 21/06/2012 20:16

Because there I'd always somewhere to park. There is no reason whatsoever ever to park in a disabled space.

If you are on a bus going to a hospital appointment, and them you have to het off to allow a wheelchair on. You could be in the middle of no where/ don't know where you are/ not know what time the next bus is coming through, will miss appointment/kids stranded at school etc etc Take in to consideration mums possible situation.....
The whechair user absolutely might not mind waitimg for the next bus...they might not be in any rush, know when the next bus is, have help with them etc etc

bejeezusWC · 21/06/2012 20:20

It might be a mum with PND or anxiety attacks etc etc etc

elizaregina · 21/06/2012 20:21

gosh imagine if the thousands of comments on this topic on these various threads actually flooded the companies who own the buses customer services, I think we would be seeing buses with enough space for both....

hawkmoon269 · 21/06/2012 20:24

If I had an important hospital appointment (or similar) I would either:
a) not rely on a bus
b) if a bus was my only option I'd leave with PLENTY of time to spare.

The rare times I have to get the bus I often have to wait for ages because the wheelchair space is already being used by buggies.

Look, I know lots of people have no choice, but buses are an unreliable way to get from a to b in a hurry - especially with a buggy!

In an ideal world there should be a designated buggy space in addition to the wheelchair space. But till then, wheelchair users take priority and I'd challenge anyone who doesn't agree to try being wheelchair bound for just an hour.

SauvignonBlanche · 21/06/2012 20:25

I found the comparison with the parking space very useful, you state that there is 'no reason whatsoever' to park in one, but people do.
Pushchair users need not necessarily get off the bus, they should however, realise that there may be a point in their journey that they may need twofold their pushchair.

Maryz · 21/06/2012 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SauvignonBlanche · 21/06/2012 20:29

WTF would PND stop you folding a pushchair? Confused I did.

mygladhart · 21/06/2012 20:31

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MammaBrussels · 21/06/2012 20:33

What happens if the wheelchair user suffers from panic attacks, PTSD and has got to pick up their kids from school? Why should a disabled passenger have to negotiate a place on a bus?

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